Gila County is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Arizona and is situated in the desert region known as the Sonoran Desert. The county has a total area of 4,795 square miles and is bordered by Yavapai County to the west, Maricopa County to the south, Pinal County to the east, and Navajo County to the north. According to gradinmath, the county seat of Gila County is Globe which was founded in 1876 as a mining camp and later incorporated in 1902.
The terrain of Gila County is mostly mountainous with some flat areas around its perimeter. The highest point in Gila County is Mount Ord at 8,734 feet above sea level while its lowest point is along its northern border with Navajo County at 2,700 feet above sea level. The San Carlos River runs through Gila County from its source near Mount Graham all the way down to San Carlos Lake which serves as an important source of water for local agriculture and recreation activities such as fishing and boating.
The climate of Gila County can be described as semi-arid with hot summers and mild winters due to its location within the Sonoran Desert region. Average temperatures range from highs near 100°F during summer months down to lows near 40°F during winter months although there can be significant variations depending on elevation with higher elevations typically experiencing cooler temperatures year round. Precipitation levels are also relatively low throughout most of Gila County averaging around 12 inches per year although higher elevations can experience up to 20 inches annually due to orographic lift caused by nearby mountain ranges such as Mazatzal Mountains or Sierra Ancha Mountains.
Gila County has a population of approximately 53,000 people spread across seven incorporated cities including Globe (county seat), Miami, Hayden/Winkelman, San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, Youngtown/Sun City West/Surprise, Payson/Star Valley/Christopher Creek/Heber-Overgaard and Rye/Tonto Basin/Canyon Day/Youngsville. The economy in Gila County relies heavily on tourism due to its numerous recreational activities such as fishing & boating at San Carlos Lake or exploring nearby mountain ranges for hiking & camping opportunities while also providing employment opportunities through industries such as mining or agriculture which are prominent throughout this region due to its favorable climate conditions for growing crops like cotton & alfalfa among others.
School districts in Gila County, Arizona
Gila County, Arizona has a number of school districts that serve the educational needs of its students. The largest district in the county is the Globe Unified School District, which serves more than 3,100 students from four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The district also offers alternative education programs such as an online learning program and a home school program. In addition to Globe Unified School District, Gila County is also served by the San Carlos Apache School District. This district serves more than 2,000 students at nine elementary schools and two high schools located on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. The Payson Unified School District serves more than 2,600 students with five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The Payson district also has several alternative education programs including a virtual academy and an adult basic education program.
The Hayden-Winkelman Unified School District serves nearly 900 students with two elementary schools and one high school located in Hayden and Winkelman. The district also offers several alternative education programs such as an online learning program and a home schooling option for families who prefer that model of learning for their children. The Ray Unified School District serves approximately 500 students with three elementary schools located in Rye, Tonto Basin and Youngsville. The Ray district also offers an adult basic education program which helps provide educational opportunities to adults who wish to pursue further studies or obtain employment skills.
In addition to these larger districts there are several smaller districts throughout Gila County including Miami Elementary School District which serves around 750 students at one elementary school; Sage Elementary School District which serves approximately 200 students at one elementary school; Youngtown Elementary School District which serves nearly 400 students at one K-8 campus; Star Valley Unified School District which serves around 250 at one K-8 campus; Christopher Creek Elementary School District which serves around 200 students at one K-8 campus; Heber-Overgaard Unified Schools which serve around 375 students at three campuses; Surprise Valley Elementary Schools serving over 300 student sat two campuses; Canyon Day Primary & Junior High Schools serving over 100 student sat two campuses; and Youngsville Primary & Junior High Schools serving over 100 student sat two campuses.
Overall, Gila County provides numerous educational options for its residents from traditional public schooling to online learning programs or homeschooling options for those who prefer that method of teaching for their children’s education. Each of these districts provides quality instruction in both academics as well as extra-curricular activities such as athletics or music programs depending on the particular campus involved. In addition, many of these districts offer special services such as special needs classes or afterschool tutoring services to ensure that all children have access to a quality public education regardless of their individual circumstances or abilities.
Major schools in Gila County, Arizona
Gila County, Arizona is home to a variety of public schools that serve the needs of the local community. The largest district in Gila County is the Ray Unified School District which serves approximately 500 students with three elementary schools located in Rye, Tonto Basin and Youngsville. This district offers an adult basic education program which helps provide educational opportunities to adults who wish to pursue further studies or obtain employment skills. In addition to these larger districts there are several smaller districts throughout Gila County including Miami Elementary School District, Sage Elementary School District, Youngtown Elementary School District and Star Valley Unified School District.
Miami Elementary School District serves around 750 students at one elementary school and offers a wide variety of programs such as Gifted & Talented, Dual Language Immersion Program, English Language Learners Program and Special Education Programs. The school also provides after-school activities such as sports teams, music classes, art classes and drama clubs. Sage Elementary School District serves approximately 200 students at one elementary school and provides a comprehensive educational program including art classes, music classes, physical education classes and special education services.
Youngtown Elementary School District serves nearly 400 students at one K-8 campus with a curriculum that includes core subjects such as math and science as well as electives like art or music. Special programs offered by the district include ESL/ELL for English language learners; gifted & talented; special needs; Title I; afterschool tutoring services; and extracurricular activities such as sports teams or academic clubs. Star Valley Unified School District serves around 250 at one K-8 campus with a curriculum that includes core subjects like math and science alongside electives like art or music plus special programs such as gifted & talented; ESL/ELL for English language learners; special needs; Title I; afterschool tutoring services; athletics teams or academic clubs.
Other smaller districts in Gila County include Christopher Creek Elementary School District which serves around 200 students at one K-8 campus; Heber-Overgaard Unified Schools which serve around 375 students at three campuses; Surprise Valley Elementary Schools serving over 300 student sat two campuses; Canyon Day Primary & Junior High Schools serving over 100 student sat two campuses; Youngsville Primary & Junior High Schools serving over 100 student sat two campuses. All of these districts provide quality instruction in both academics as well as extra-curricular activities such as athletics or music programs depending on the particular campus involved. In addition, many of these districts offer special services such as special needs classes or afterschool tutoring services to ensure that all children have access to a quality public education regardless of their individual circumstances or abilities.
Overall, Gila County provides numerous educational options for its residents from traditional public schooling to online learning programs or homeschooling options for those who prefer that method of teaching for their children’s education. With so many options available it is easy for parents to find the right fit for their child’s educational needs in this diverse county located in Arizona’s high desert region.
Notable people of Gila County, Arizona
According to businesscarriers, Gila County, Arizona is home to some notable people who have left their mark on history. One of the most prominent figures from Gila County is the famous painter Georgia O’Keeffe, who spent much of her life in the area. Her work often featured landscapes of the American Southwest, including many scenes from her beloved Gila County. Another renowned artist from Gila County is sculptor and jewelry maker Charles Loloma, who was born in Hotevilla and became a successful artist in his own right.
The writer Edward Abbey also spent much of his life in Gila County and wrote extensively about the area’s natural beauty. His works included Desert Solitaire and The Monkey Wrench Gang, both of which were set in Gila County. Another notable writer from Gila County is Zane Grey, who wrote several popular Western novels set in places around Arizona such as The Vanishing American and To The Last Man.
Gila County has also been home to several prominent politicians over the years. One of the most famous politicians to come from Gila County was Barry Goldwater, who served as a United States Senator for Arizona for over 30 years and also ran for President of the United States in 1964. Another well-known politician from Gila County is John Rhodes, who served as a Congressman for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District for eight terms beginning in 1953.
In addition to artists and politicians, there have been several other noteworthy people from Gila County over the years such as entertainers Bill Cosby and Steve Martin; professional athletes such as Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi; businesspeople like Walmart founder Sam Walton; scientists like astronomer Clyde Tombaugh; military leaders like General John Jumper; and musicians such as country singer Marty Robbins. With so many notable individuals having their roots in Gila County it is easy to see why this small county located in Arizona’s high desert region has left its mark on history.